A PET owner who failed to take her dog to a vet despite the animal's weight dramatically plummeting has been fined £500.

Mum Maxine Davenport, pictured, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to her white whippet, Zero, after the dog developed intestine problems.

North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court was told the dog, which has since been put to sleep, was just "days from death" when 37-year-old Ms Davenport called the RSPCA on August 1.

The animal had also suffered from vomiting and diarrhoea.

In an interview with RSPCA officers, Ms Davenport, of Arbourfield Drive, Bentilee, said she could not afford to take the animal to a vet.

Roger Price, prosecuting on behalf of the animal charity, said: "This was a very sick animal when it was presented to a vet on August 1.

"The dog was only a few days from death."

The court heard the animal suffered a congenital illness, which affected its digestive system.

Ms Price told the RSPCA the animal had been unwell since July 29.

However she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal between July 4 and August 1 last year.

But Mr Price said evidence from a vet suggested the animal could have shown symptoms from anything between two to six months.

He added: "Something could have been done and should have been done a lot earlier.

"While it may not have resulted in the dog surviving it would have reduced its suffering.

"She has another whippet, Zeek, and that would have shown a comparison as that animal had normal muscle and fat compared to Zero.

"She told the RSPCA she was aware dogs from that same litter had intestine problems.

"A reasonable person would have paid particular attention to the animal because of this."

Mr Price told the court that Zero could have received free treatment from the Stoke-based PDSA hospital as Ms Davenport receives benefits.

But in her interview with RSPCA officers, Ms Davenport said she could not find a taxi firm willing to have a dog in one of its vehicles.

Mr Price added: "Within eight minutes' walk of her house there is Shires Veterinary Practice, but she didn't go.

"The inspector that went to see her noted she was smoking and told her if she smoked less she would save money and afford to go the vet."

Gary Corbett, defending Ms Davenport, said his client had been suffering family problems involving her 17-year-old son around the time the animal was ill.

Mr Corbett told the court Ms Davenport had tried to alter the dog's diet after noticing it was unwell.

It was also explained the animal's condition may well have been impossible to cure.

He added: "It was not a positive act of cruelty, it was an omission to act.

"She is entirely disgusted and mortified as to how the dog ended up."

Alongside the fine, Ms Davenport was handed an 18-month community order which includes 16 sessions at Chepstow House in Hanley, which aims to help women get their lives back on track,

She is also allowed to keep her whippet Zeek and rabbit and cat.